Apparatus for recording digital still image signals and analog still image signals in respective recording areas

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is arranged to record a video signal in first areas respectively provided in a multiplicity of tracks on a recording medium and also a digital still-image signal in second areas which are respectively separated from the first areas. In the apparatus, while the digital still-image signal is being recorded in the second areas, the video signal is always recorded in the first areas, whereby it is possible to prevent occurrence of an uncomfortable phenomenon, such as formation of a scene devoid of a substantial image, during reproduction from the first areas. In addition, an analog still-image signal, representative of an image identical to an image represented by the digital still-image signal recorded in the second areas, is repeatedly recorded in the first areas during a predetermined time duration, whereby it is possible to facilitate search of a still-image signal recorded in the second areas. In addition, the digital still-image signal is recorded in the second areas at intervals of a predetermined period during recording of an analog moving-image signal in the first areas, whereby it is possible to record as many still images as possible.

This is a continuation application under 37 CFR 1.62 of priorapplication Ser. No. 07/927,213 filed on Aug. 6, 1992 (abandoned).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to a video signal recording apparatus and,more particularly, to a video signal recording apparatus for recording adigital still image signal and an analog video signal on the samerecording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art:

In recent years, a demand for high-density recording has been increasingin the field of magnetic recording. To meet the demand, there has beenprovided a video tape recorder (VTR) of the type which is capable ofeffecting magnetic recording of high density by transporting a magnetictape at a reduced speed.

However, a VTR provided with a fixed head for recording an audio signalhas the disadvantage that if an audio signal is recorded on a magnetictape which is being transported at the reduced speed, no large relativespeed is obtained between the head and the tape and a sound of degradedquality is reproduced. As a means for solving this problem, a method hasbeen proposed in which the length of each track scanned by a rotary headis extended with respect to the track length used in a conventional artand an audio signal, which is compressed along its time axis, issequentially recorded in the additional portion of each extended track.

Such a method will be described below with reference to a VTR of therotary 2-head helical scan type. In the conventional art, a magnetictape is wrapped around a rotary cylinder through an angle which isslightly greater than 180 degrees. However, in the above-describedmethod, a magnetic tape is wrapped around a rotary cylinder through anangle which is slightly greater than (180+θ) degrees. When an audiosignal is to be recorded, the audio signal is converted into a PCM audiosignal, and after the PCM audio signal has been compressed along itstime axis, the resultant PCM audio signal is recorded on the extraθ-degree portion of the magnetic tape wrapped around the rotarycylinder.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a tape transporting system for use inthe above-described VTR. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the loci ofrecording formed on the magnetic tape by the VTR shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, a solid line 1 represents a magnetic tape, andheads 3 and 4 are mounted on a rotary cylinder 2. As shown in FIG. 2, aplurality of tracks are formed on the magnetic tape 1, and each of thetracks includes an analog video signal recording area 5 and a digitalsignal recording area 6 in which a PCM audio signal is recorded. Theanalog video signal recording area 5 is traced by the head 3 or 4 duringthe rotation of the rotary cylinder 2 through an angular extent of 180degrees, while the digital video signal recording area 6 is traced bythe head 3 or 4 during the rotation of the rotary cylinder 2 through anangular extent of θ degrees.

As an applied example of the above-described method of recording adigital signal in one area while recording a video signal in anotherarea, a method is proposed in which a still image is recorded in theaforesaid one area as a digital signal. In the case of a still image, itis possible to record all information representative of the still imageon a magnetic tape by scanning a plurality of PCM (digital) signalrecording areas 6. According to this method, it is possible to realizestill-image photography utilizing a photographic apparatus and arecording medium both of which are of types identical to those used formoving-image photography. In addition, it is possible to provide ahigh-quality still image whose quality is higher than that of a stillimage obtainable by repeatedly reproducing an analog video signal fromthe same track on a magnetic tape in a conventional VTR while keepingthe magnetic tape in a temporarily stopped state.

It has also been proposed to provide a video camera-integrated type VTRin which the above-described recording apparatus is incorporated in acamera-integrated type VTR so that still-image photography can beperformed together with moving-image photography.

However, the above-described video camera (or video camera-integratedtype VTR) having a still-image photography function has a number ofproblems which will be described below. In this kind of video camera,for example, the following three modes are available: (1) a mode forrecording only a moving image in a moving-image recording area (theanalog video signal recording area 5 of FIG. 2); (2) a mode forrecording a moving image in the moving-image recording area and, at thesame time, recording a still image selectively extracted from the movingimage in a still-image recording area (the digital signal recording area6 of FIG. 2); and (3) a mode for recording only a still image in thestill-image recording area.

When either of the modes (1) or (2) is active, a moving image isrecorded at all times, and it is possible to effectively utilize theentire recording area on the magnetic tape. During reproduction, anoperator can view a reproduced image on a TV monitor or the like withoutexperiencing any substantial problem. In contrast, the mode (3) isdesigned to record only a still image, and if the operator views areproduced image after performing recording based on the mode (3), theoperator will feel that a reproduced image is extremely uncomfortable,because no moving image is recorded in the portion of the magnetic tapeon which a still image has been recorded in the mode (3). Furthermore,the mode (3) is uneconomical since it consumes a large amount ofmagnetic tape. In addition, since a moving image is suddenly disturbedduring reproduction, the operator may feel uncomfortable. Particularlywhen the magnetic tape is made to transport at a high speed, a portiondevoid of a reproduced image appears on the TV monitor so frequentlythat the operator feels visually, extremely uncomfortable.

Part (i) of FIG. 3 shows the state of recording on a magnetic tape inwhich image signals of three kinds based on the above-described threemodes are recorded. Parts (ii) and (iii) of FIG. 3 show timingsassociated with moving-image recording and those associated withstill-image recording, respectively, and Part (iv) shows tape-travelcontrol executed on the basis of the timings shown in Parts (ii) and(iii). Part (i) shows the state of recording which has been made on themagnetic tape in accordance with the timings shown in Parts (ii), (iii)and (iv). In Part (i), MV and SV represent a moving-image recording areaand a still-image recording area, respectively.

Initially, when moving-image recording is started at a timing t1, tapetravel is initiated, and a moving image is sequentially recorded in theanalog signal recording areas MV of a plurality of tracks until thetiming of the end of the moving-image photography. Thus, as shown inPart (i) of FIG. 3, a scene A including fields A1 to An is sequentiallyrecorded by one field in each track as an analog signal between thetiming t1 and a timing t2. If an instruction to extract a still image isinputted at a timing t3 between the timing t1 and the timing t2, a fieldimage in a field Ai at that timing is recorded as a still image in thedigital still image recording areas SV of a plurality of tracks during apredetermined time duration (T0).

The tape travel is stopped at the timing t2. When an instruction torecord only a still image is inputted at the next timing t4, the tapetravel is restarted and continued until the predetermined time durationT0 passes after the timing t4. Thus, a still image B captured at thetiming t4 is recorded in the still image recording areas SV of aplurality of tracks as shown in Part (i) of FIG. 3.

Then, a still image C captured at a timing t6 is similarly recordeduntil a timing t7 during only the predetermined time duration T0. Whenthis recording is ended, the tape travel stops at the timing t7.

If moving-image recording is restarted at a timing t8, the tape travelis restarted and the moving-image recording is carried out, andoperations similar to those executed in recording the scene A arecarried out (if a still image D is to be extracted at a timing t10,similar operations are carried out).

Referring to the portion of the moving-image recording area MV thatcorresponds to the portion of the still-image recording area SV in whichthe still images B and C are recorded, no moving-image data is recordedin that portion of the moving-image recording area MV over a timeduration of 2T0. Accordingly, if the magnetic tape is reproduced, thepreviously-described problems will take place.

In the case of a camera-integrated type VTR capable of recording adigitized high-quality still image in a PCM recording area of a VTR tape(or magnetic tape), it is common practice to dispose a release buttonfor PCM still-image recording, such as a camera's release button, inaddition to a recording button for ordinary recording of a moving image.

However, a scene which the operator desires to preserve as a PCM stillimage is not necessarily a scene which the operator has recorded bypressing the release button at his own will. There are also some caseswhere the operator unexpectedly encounters a rare scene and fails topreserve it as a PCM still image.

In addition, in the case of the reproduction of an image which has beenrecorded on a magnetic tape by a video camera-integrated type VTR havingthe above-described still-image photography function, since an imagerecorded in the moving-image recording areas of a plurality of tracks onthe magnetic tape is merely continuously reproduced, it is impossible todetermine at what point in time a picture was recorded as a still image.

To aid in making such a decision, a predetermined marker may be recordedconcurrently with the recording of a moving image. However, even if themarker is displayed while a moving image is being continuouslyreproduced, it is substantially impossible to instantaneously grasp thecontents of a recorded still image since the contents of the reproducedmoving image consistently vary one after another during display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to solve theabove-described problems experienced with an apparatus for recording ananalog video signal and a digital still image signal on the samerecording medium.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent any substantialproblem from occurring during reproduction of an analog video signal bythis kind of apparatus.

To achieve the above-objects, according to one aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a video signal recording apparatus whichcomprises recording means for recording a signal while forming amultiplicity of tracks on a recording medium, the multiplicity of trackseach having a first area and a second area which are separated from eachother, moving-image signal forming means for forming an analogmoving-image signal to be recorded in the first area, still-image signalforming means for forming a digital still-image signal to be recorded inthe second area, and switching means for controlling the moving-imagesignal forming means and the still-image signal forming means to switchthe apparatus between a plurality of modes. This plurality of modesinclude a first mode for recording the analog moving-image signal in thefirst area and the digital still-image signal in the second area, and asecond mode for recording not the analog moving-image signal but apredetermined signal in the first area and the digital still-imagesignal in the second area.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to recorda multiplicity of still images including a desired still image withoutwasting a still-image recording area in the aforesaid kind of apparatus.

To achieve the above-described objects, according to another aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided a video signal recordingapparatus which comprises first recording means for recording videosignals in individual first areas respectively provided in amultiplicity of tracks on a recording medium, second recording means forrecording digital still-image signals in individual second areas each ofwhich is separated from an associated one of the first areas in themultiplicity of tracks, and controlling means for causing the firstrecording means to repeatedly record an analog still-image signalrepresentative of an image identical to an image represented by thedigital still-image signals, in the first areas during a predeterminedtime duration in synchronism with the second recording means recordingthe digital still-image signals.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible tocorrectly grasp the presence or absence of a recorded still image andthe contents thereof during the reproduction of analog moving-imagesignals.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof preferred embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a tape transporting system for use ina conventional VTR;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the loci of recording formed on amagnetic tape by the conventional VTR;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one example of the state of recording formedon the magnetic tape by the VTR of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the arrangement of a videosignal recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one example of the state of recording formedon a magnetic tape by the VTR of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the arrangement of a videosignal recording apparatus according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the arrangement of a videosignal recording apparatus according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic views aiding in explaining the advantage ofthe apparatus of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing the arrangement of a videosignal recording apparatus according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic views showing the state of the startportion of a recording which is made on a magnetic tape by the apparatusof FIG. 10;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic views showing the state of the end portionof the recording which is made on the magnetic tape by the apparatus ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram showing the arrangement of anapparatus for reproducing a signal recorded by the apparatus of FIG. 10;and

FIG. 16 is a schematic view aiding in explaining the recording of anidentification code.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described belowin detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a video camera accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, asubject image is focused on a CCD (image sensor) 502 by a lens 501, andthe focused subject image is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 502.The signal outputted from the CCD 502 is inputted to a camera signalprocessing circuit 504 via an amplifier 503, where after the inputsignal has been converted into a digital form, the digital signal issubjected to digital computations and, then, to D/A conversion. Theanalog signal outputted from the camera signal processing circuit 504 isinputted to a recorder signal processing circuit 505. The recordersignal processing circuit 505 performs signal processing to convert theinput analog signal into a form suitable for recording on a magnetictape. The signal outputted from the recorder signal processing circuit505 is inputted to a recording/reproducing part 507 via a switchingcircuit 506.

The digital signal formed in the camera signal processing circuit 504 bythe digital computations is supplied to a compressing/expanding circuit508 by an amount corresponding to one picture at a time in accordancewith a still-image extract signal inputted from a still image extractingcircuit 513 which will be described later. The amount of information ofthe digital signal is compressed by the compressing/expanding circuit508, and the compressed digital signal is subjected to interleavingprocessing and error-correcting code adding processing in a digitalprocessing circuit 509 provided for performing interleaving processingand error-correcting code adding processing or de-interleavingprocessing and error-correcting processing. The signal outputted fromthe digital processing circuit 509 is converted into a signal formoptimum for recording by a recording encoder/decoder 510. The signaloutputted from the recording encoder/decoder 510 is inputted to therecording/reproducing part 507 via the switching circuit 506.

The recording/reproducing part 507 records the analog signal (i.e., amoving image) inputted from the recorder signal processing circuit 505in the video signal (analog signal) recording area MV of each track onthe magnetic tape, and the digital signal (i.e., a still image) inputtedfrom the recording encoder/decoder 510 in the digital signal recordingarea SV of each track on the magnetic tape.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the state of recording which has been made onthe magnetic tape by the apparatus of FIG. 4, and waveforms associatedwith various timing operations.

Referring again to FIG. 4, a memory 512 is added to the camera signalprocessing circuit 504, and stores still-image information for onepicture which has been extracted from continuous digital moving-imagesignals taken from the camera signal processing circuit 504. The camerasignal processing circuit 504 can also repeatedly input still-imageinformation from the memory 512 to the recorder signal processingcircuit 505. The still image extracting circuit 513 generates astill-image extract signal, such as that shown in Part 2 of FIG. 5, inaccordance with a manual operation, and inputs the still-image extractsignal to a monostable multivibrator circuit 515. The monostablemultivibrator circuit 515 outputs a signal, which continues by apredetermined time duration T0, in response to the signal inputted fromthe still image extracting circuit 513. A moving-image mode specifyingcircuit 514 generates a control signal for tape travel, such as thatshown in Part 3 of FIG. 5, and inputs the control signal to a tapedriving means 517 of the recording/reproducing part 507 through an ORgate 516 to control the tape driving means 517. The output signal of themonostable multivibrator circuit 515 is also inputted to the OR gate516. The output signal of the moving-image mode specifying circuit 514is also applied to an inverter 518, where it is inverted and formed intoa non- moving-image mode state signal. The non-moving-image mode statesignal is inputted to an AND gate 519 together with the output signal ofthe monostable multivibrator circuit 515, thereby controlling thereadout operation of the memory 512.

While the AND gate 519 is on (the circuit 514 is off), still-imageinformation stored in the memory 512 at that time is repeatedly readfrom the memory 512, and each of the repeatedly read still-imageinformation is converted into an analog signal by the camera signalprocessing circuit 504 and the same information is repeatedly inputtedto the recorder signal processing circuit 505. Accordingly, if astill-image extract signal is generated at a time t4 as shown in FIG. 5,the monostable multivibrator circuit 515, the OR gate 516 and the tapedriving means 517 are controlled to cause the magnetic tape to travel,and digital still-image signals corresponding to a scene B, which areoutputted from the recording encoder/decoder 510, are recorded indigital signal recording areas of a plurality of tracks (indicated by"SV" in Part 4 of FIG. 5) on the magnetic tape. At the same time,still-image information for n tracks corresponding to a predeterminedtime duration T0 is read from the memory 512 and converted into analogstill-image signals, and the analog still-image signals are recorded invideo signal recording areas (indicated by "MV" in Part 4 of FIG. 5) ofthe n tracks on the magnetic tape. This operation is similarly appliedto the next scene C as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, moving images and stillimages are continuously recorded in the video signal recording areas ofa multiplicity of tracks, so that a continuous reproduced output can bevisually displayed on a TV monitor or the like by reproducing the movingimages and still images which have been recorded on the magnetic tape inthe above-described manner. Reproduction by the recording/reproducingpart 507 is carried out in the following manner: A reproduced output isobtained from the digital signal recording area of a particular track onthe magnetic tape, and is then passed through the switching circuit 506.The output of the switch circuit 506 is decoded by the recordingencoder/decoder 510 and the decoded signal is subjected tode-interleaving processing, error-correcting processing anderror-concealing processing in the digital processing circuit 509. Theamount of information of the signal outputted from the digitalprocessing circuit 509 is expanded by the compressing/expanding circuit508 and is then converted into an ordinary analog video signal by theY.C encoder 511. The Y.C encoder 511 outputs the ordinary analog videosignal.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and in FIG. 6,identical reference numerals are used to denote elements identical tothose shown in FIG. 4 and description is omitted for the sake ofsimplicity.

Referring to FIG. 6, a single-color signal generating circuit 520 isarranged to output a signal which serves to color the entire picture,for example, only blue. When the AND gate 519 outputs an off signal, theswitch 521 is switched to an output side leading to the camera signalprocessing circuit 504. The still image extracting circuit 513 generatesa still-image extract signal to turn on the AND gate 519, therebyswitching the switch 521 to an output side leading to the single-colorsignal generating circuit 520. Thus, a single-color signal is recordedin the video signal recording areas of particular tracks on the magnetictape (a still image is recorded in the corresponding digital signalrecording areas). In this manner, moving images and still images(single-color still images) can be continuously recorded in the videosignal recording areas of a multiplicity of tracks on the magnetic tape.

As described above, in the apparatus described in connection with FIGS.4 to 6, even if a mode for carrying out only still-image recording isselected, an image signal is recorded in each of the corresponding video(analog) signal recording areas of the magnetic tape, whereby nosubstantial problem occurs even during moving-image reproduction.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing a video signal recordingapparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 7, an optical system 300 is provided for focusing asubject image on an image sensor 301, and the subject image is convertedinto an electrical signal by the image sensor 301. The electrical signalis supplied to a preamplifier 302 and, then, to a camera signalprocessing circuit 303. In the case of moving-image recording, thesignal outputted from the camera signal processing circuit 303 isconverted into an analog video signal of signal format suitable forrecording, by a video signal processing circuit 304. The analog videosignal is supplied to a recording/reproducing circuit 306 via aswitching circuit 305. In the case of still-image recording, a digitalsignal for one picture taken from the camera signal processing circuit303 is supplied to and compressed by a compressing/expanding circuit307. The compressed digital signal is supplied to an encoder(encoder/decoder) 309 through a digital processing circuit 308 whichserves as an interleaving and ECC (error-correcting code) addingcircuit. In the encoder 309, the compressed signal is converted into adigital signal of signal format suitable for recording. The resultantdigital signal is supplied to the switching circuit 305 through arecording/reproduction selecting switch 310. The digital signaloutputted from the switching circuit 305 is recorded on the magnetictape (not shown) by the recording/reproducing circuit 306.

During reproduction, the aforesaid circuits 307, 308 and 309 serve as anexpanding circuit, a de-interleaving and error-concealing circuit and adecoder, respectively. A reproduced still-image signal which has beenexpanded by the circuit 309 is converted into an ordinary televisionsignal by the Y.C encoder 311.

The camera signal processing circuit 303 is connected to a memory 312 sothat information for one picture is memorized.

A still-image recording controlling circuit 313 is arranged to controltimings associated with still-image recording and those associated withmoving-image recording, as well as the memory 312.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views aiding in explaining the advantages of theabove-described embodiment, and show different recording patterns formedon the magnetic tape. FIG. 8 shows a conventional format formoving-image recording and still-image recording. As shown in FIG. 8,pictures are continuously recorded in the respective moving-imagerecording areas 5 of tracks M1 to M17 of FIG. 8 by one field for eachtrack. If it is assumed that the picture (scene) recorded in the trackM5 is extracted for recording in the still-image recording area 6, thepicture for one field in the track M5 is recorded in the respectivestill-image recording areas 6 of eight tracks S5-1 to S5-8 in such amanner that the picture for one field is divided into eight parts.

During reproduction of the magnetic tape recorded in the above-describedmanner, since only the moving-image recording area 5 of each track isreproduced, the scene in the track M5 is merely instantaneouslyreproduced so that it is impossible for an operator to visually confirmthe substantial contents of the scene.

To cope with this problem, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, onepicture in the track M5 is recorded in the still-image recording areas 6of the respective tracks S5-1 to S5-8 in such a manner that such onepicture is divided into eight parts, while the contents of the track M5are recorded in the moving-image recording area 5 of each of tracks M6to M9 for four fields.

Since recording such as that shown in FIG. 9 is carried out, thestill-image recording controlling circuit 313 controls the readoutoperation of the memory 312 so that still-image informationrepresentative of the scene in the track M5 is transmitted from thememory 312 to the video signal processing circuit 304 over theassociated field period.

In addition, since recording such as that shown in FIG. 9 is carriedout, a frozen still image is displayed during only a particular timeduration so that the operator can easily confirm the timing when thestill image was recorded and the contents thereof, merely by monitoringthe contents of the moving-image recording areas 5 of the respectivetracks.

As is apparent from the above description, in the apparatus according tothe embodiment explained in connection with FIGS. 7 to 9, one picture ata certain instant during the recording of a moving image is recorded asa still image in particular still-image recording areas, and at the sametime the still image is continuously recorded in the correspondingmoving-image recording areas as well during only a predetermined timeduration. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a magnetic recordingapparatus which permits an operator to easily understand the contentsand recording timing of a picture recorded as a still image during thereproduction of a moving image.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing the arrangement of acamera-integrated type VTR according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. In the shown arrangement, a subject image isconverted into an electrical signal by a CCD 101 which serves as animage sensor, and the electrical signal is converted into a digitalsignal by a sample-and-hold circuit 102 and an A/D circuit 103. Thedigital signal is then subjected to predetermined processing such asgamma-correction processing and matrix processing for forming aluminance signal and color-difference signals, in a digital camerasignal processing circuit 104. The thus-processed signal is convertedinto an analog signal by a D/A conversion circuit 105 for the purpose offorming a video recording signal, and the analog signal is convertedinto a signal suitable for recording, by a video recording processingcircuit 106. The signal outputted from the video recording processingcircuit 106 is applied to an adder 116.

An AFM recording processing circuit 107 produces a recording signalrepresentative of a sound inputted through a microphone (not shown),while an ATF recording processing circuit 108 produces a pilot signalfor use in known tracking. These signals are mixed with the analog videorecording signal in the adder 116, and the mixed signal is transmittedto a recording amplifier 118.

A recording timing generator 114 is arranged to generate the timingsignals required to control a process which starts with extraction of astill image and ends with recording of data in a PCM recording area 123.The shown construction also includes a release button 113, a systemcontroller 115 for controlling the entire apparatus, an identificationsignal generator 124 and a switch (SW) 125.

In the case of a regular recording operation, while a moving-imagerecording instruction is given, a still-image recording instruction isperiodically outputted from the recording timing generator 114. Aluminance signal and color-difference signals for one picture are readfrom the digital camera signal processing circuit 104 to an image memory109. The information outputted from the memory 109 is applied to a rateconversion circuit 110, where the data rate (the amount of informationper unit time) of the information is converted so that the informationcan be recorded in the respective PCM recording areas 123 of a pluralityof tracks. The data (the amount of information) outputted from the rateconversion circuit 110 is compressed by a compressing circuit 111, andthe compressed signal is subjected to predetermined processing such aserror detection, addition of an error-correcting code, an ID code, ablock address, etc., and interleaving processing in a PCM recordingprocessing circuit 112. The signal outputted from the PCM recordingprocessing circuit 112 is supplied to an adder 117 via an adder 126, andthe supplied signal is mixed with an ATF signal in the adder 117 and thesignal outputted from the adder 117 is supplied to the recordingamplifier 118. The signal is then recorded in the respective PCMrecording areas 123 of a plurality of tracks on a magnetic tape 119 byheads 120A and 120B. If it is assumed that the number of tracks requiredto record a still image for one picture is N, inclusive of the number ofguard tracks, the recording timing generator 114 causes extraction ofthe still image to be executed at intervals of the time durationrequired to effect recording for N tracks. The regular recordingoperation is continued by repeating similar processing.

FIG. 11 shows the state of recording which is made on a magnetic tapewhen an occasional recording operation is carried out. Referring to FIG.11, while a moving-image recording instruction is given, a still imageA1 is extracted and stored into the memory 109, and the still image A1is recorded over N tracks in the respective PCM recording areas 123thereof through the above-described processing. Then, a still image A2is extracted and stored into the memory 109 so that the still image A2can be subsequently recorded. During moving-image recording, a recordingoperation continues to be carried out regularly periodically in theorder of still images A3, A4, . . . However, if the operator is tointentionally record a still image at a desired instant, the operatorpresses the release button 113 to execute an occasional recordingoperation. The above and following operating timings are controlled bythe recording timing generator 114.

When the release button 113 is pressed, storage of a still image intothe memory 109 at that time is started even if the time durationrequired to effect recording for N tracks has not yet passed since thetiming when a still-image extraction was started in the regularrecording operation. For example, referring to FIG. 11, if the releasebutton 113 is pressed during the recording of data representative of astill image A6, a still image B1 is stored into the memory 109 and theprocess proceeds to recording of data representative of the still imageB1 even if the recording of the still image A6 up to the N-th track hasnot yet been completed. At the same time, the switch 125 is closed and asignal outputted from the identification signal generator 124 is addedto the data representative of the still image B1 in the adder 126, andthe sum data is recorded. The signal from the identification signalgenerator 124 may be, for example, a pilot signal of single frequencywhich does not affect an ATF signal or PCM data.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, each of the transition points betweenadjacent still-image data coincides with the point of extraction of eachstill image. However, as shown in FIG. 12, even if each of thetransition points between adjacent still-image data does not coincidewith (is offset from) the point of extraction of each still image, asimilar function can be achieved.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show the state of the end portion of the recording whichis made on the magnetic tape, and an operation performed at the time ofthe end portion of the recording will be described below.

During the regular recording operation, when a recording stopinstruction is given, the recording operation is stopped even if therecording of data representative of a still image An has not yet beencompleted. During the occasional recording operation, even if arecording stop instruction is given, if the recording of datarepresentative of a still image Bm is in process, the recordingoperation is stopped after the completion of the recording of the datarepresentative of the still image Bm. Of course, these operations arealso controlled by the recording timing generator 114.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram showing a system for reproducing asignal recorded by the apparatus of FIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 15,signals reproduced by heads 120A and 120B are amplified by a reproducingamplifier 131. The signal reproduced from a video signal area 122 of aparticular track is passed to each of an ATF reproduction processingcircuit 132, an AFM reproduction processing circuit 134 and a videoreproduction processing circuit 135. Thus, a moving image and anassociated sound are restored.

In the meantime, the signal reproduced from the PCM recording area 123of the particular track is supplied to both of a PCM reproductionprocessing circuit 136 and an identification signal detecting circuit141. The supplied signal is subjected to predetermined processing suchas error detection, error correction and de-interleaving processing, inthe PCM reproduction processing circuit 136, and the original stillimage is restored by a still-image decoder 137 and an image memory 138.The information read from the image memory 138 is converted into asignal suitable for output, for example, a composite signal, by a D/Aconverting circuit 139, and the resultant signal is supplied to aselecting switch (SW) 144 for selecting a moving image or a still image.A reproduction timing generator 140 is arranged to control the operatingtimings of the respective elements 136, 137, 138 and 139. A video outputterminal 145 is an output terminal common to a moving image and a stillimage.

The identification signal detecting circuit 141 is made up of aband-pass filter, a detecting circuit and other associated circuits, andserves to detect an identification signal. The detection result providedby the identification signal detecting circuit 141 is displayed on adisplay part 143, whereby it is possible to determine whether areproduced still image data is data based on the occasional recording ordata based on the regular recording.

It is also possible to selectively search only data based on theoccasional recording at a high speed. More specifically, a magnetic tapeis made to travel at a high speed, and if an identification signalrepresentative of the occasional recording is detected by a tape travelcontrolling circuit 142, the magnetic tape is stopped at that positionand the corresponding data is reproduced from the start thereof. In thismanner, it is possible to selectively search only still image data basedon the occasional recording.

In the example explained in connection with FIGS. 10 to 15, a pluralityof identification signals are added to the entire still-image data.However, as shown in FIG. 16, if identification signals are respectivelyadded to positions preceding and following still-image data or to only aposition preceding still-image data, a similar advantage can beachieved.

In the above-described embodiment, a pilot signal of single frequency isused as the identification signal. However, if the identification signalis inserted in the ID code data, a similar advantage can be achieved.

In the above-described embodiment, reference has been made tostill-image recording using a camera-integrated type VTR. However, animage to be stored into the memory 109 may be a signal fed from a TVtuner or a TV signal inputted from a line input terminal. Accordingly,the present invention can also be applied to a deck type VTR.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, according to the presentinvention, it is possible to record still images at intervals of apredetermined period together with a moving image, whereby it ispossible to greatly reduce the possibility that an operator fails torecord a rare scene as a still image. In addition, it is also possibleto carry out still-image recording at a desired timing.

In addition, during reproduction, it is possible to selectively searchonly still images recorded at desired timings, on the basis of anidentification signal, from among the still images recorded at thedesired timings and those recorded at intervals of a predeterminedperiod.

While the present invention has been described with respect to what ispresently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments. To the contrary, the present invention is intended to covervarious modifications and equivalent arrangements included within thespirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the followingclaims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompassall such modifications and equivalent arrangements and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A video signal recording apparatus comprising:(a)recording means for recording a signal while forming a multiplicity oftracks on a recording medium, the multiplicity of tracks each having afirst area and a second area which are separated from each other; (b)moving-image signal forming means for forming an analog moving-imagesignal to be recorded in the first area; (c) still-image signal formingmeans for forming a digital still-image signal to be recorded in thesecond area; and (d) switching means for simultaneously controlling saidmoving-image signal forming means, said still-image signal forming meansand said recording means to switch said apparatus between a plurality ofmodes; the plurality of modes including:a first mode in which the analogmoving-image signal is recorded in the first area; and a second mode inwhich the analog moving-image signal is not recorded but an analogstill-image signal for one picture is automatically recorded in thefirst area a plurality of times while the digital still-image signal isrecorded in the second area.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the first mode includes a first sub-mode in which the digitalstill-image signal is not recorded in the second area and a secondsub-mode in which the digital still-image signal is recorded in thesecond area.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analogstill-image signal represents an image identical to an image representedby the digital still-image signal.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the analog still-image is automatically recorded a plurality oftimes in the first areas of tracks having the second areas in which thedigital still-image signal is recorded once.
 5. An apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein said recording means records the analog moving-imagesignal for one picture in one track, and the digital still-image signalfor one picture in n tracks (n is an integer not less than 2), theanalog still-image signal being repeatedly recorded by n times in thesecond mode.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analogstill-image signal represents an image independent of an imagerepresented by the digital still-image signal.
 7. An apparatus accordingto claim 6, wherein the analog still-image signal is automaticallyrecorded a plurality of times in the first areas of tracks having thesecond areas in which the digital still-image signal is recorded once.8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said recording meansrecords the analog moving-image signal for one picture in one track, andthe digital still-image signal for one picture in n tracks (n is aninteger not less than 2), the analog still-image signal being repeatedlyrecorded by n times in the second mode.
 9. An apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein the analog still image signal represents a single-colorimage.
 10. A video signal recording apparatus, comprising:(a) firstrecording means for recording a moving-image signal in first areasrespectively provided in a multiplicity of tracks on a recording medium;(b) second recording means for recording a digital still-image signal insecond areas which are respectively separated from the first areas inthe multiplicity of tracks; and (c) controlling means for simultaneouslycontrolling said first recording means and said second recordingmeans;said controlling means causing an analog still-image signal forone picture to be automatically recorded a plurality of times instead ofthe moving-image signal on the first areas correspondingly located thesecond areas on which the digital still-image signal is recorded once.11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said controlling meanscauses said first recording means to automatically record the analogstill-image signal a plurality of times, representative of an imageidentical to an image represented by the digital still-image signal, inthe first areas while said second recording means is recording thedigital still-image signal in the second areas.
 12. An apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein said controlling means causes said firstrecording means to automatically record the analog still-image signal aplurality of times, representative of a single-color image, in the firstareas while said second recording means is recording the digitalstill-image signal in the second areas.
 13. A video signal recordingapparatus, comprising:(a) first recording means for recording a movingimage signal in first areas respectively provided in a multiplicity oftracks on a recording medium; (b) second recording means for recording adigital still-image signal in second areas which are respectivelyseparated from the first areas in the multiplicity of tracks; and (c)controlling means for simultaneously controlling said first and secondrecording means, said controlling means causing said first recordingmeans to automatically record an analog still-image signal a pluralityof times instead of the moving-image signal in the first areas during apredetermined time duration in synchronism with said second recordingmeans recording the digital still-image signal.
 14. An apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein said first recording means automaticallyrecords the analog still-image signal for one picture in one track andsaid second recording means records the digital still-image signal forone picture in n tracks (n is an integer not less than 2).